After the Bomb

In the near future, gene modifying technology becomes widespread and inexpensive, allowing for consumer-level gene modifying kits. People experimented with transgenic hybrids, creating their own mutant animals.

Some kids made a homebrew virus, based on the human genome, and released it into the wild. Roughly three-quarters of humanity died, and the virus also began to infect other animals, modifying their genetic code. The remaining governments decided this must have been an act of bio-terrorism, and waged nuclear war. Collectively, this fall of human civilization was known as "The Crash". After a few generations, animals with human looks or other mutations became common, leading to the world of After the Bomb.